2010 Opening Day Spring Gobbler

[Here We Go]

This bird started gobbling at 6:15 this morning, I hiked about 1/2 mile to get with in about 80 yards of him. I got set up and heard a second bird chime in, I let out a few yelps and the birds were double and triple gobbling on top of each other! I waited patiently for them to hit the ground. I heard the leaves russeling and had a rabbit haul azz by me with a red fox in pursuit. The two Toms hit the ground and headed away from the roost, they made a big loop and came right back, I yelped again and with in seconds I was starring at a nice long beard. I took aim and "click" the shell did not fire! The bird was staring me down and then the second one stepped into my view, the first bird looked back and I ejected the miss fire and blasted him at 25 steps. The whole game was over at 7:10 am. This makes my 5th citation gobbler he had a 10 1/2" beard and 1 1/8" spurs.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/herewego24albe/Spring%20Gobbler%202010/IMG_3108.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/herewego24albe/Spring%20Gobbler%202010/IMG_3084.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/herewego24albe/Spring%20Gobbler%202010/IMG_3085.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/herewego24albe/Spring%20Gobbler%202010/IMG_3100.jpg

[going2fast]

REAL NICE BIRD MAN. congrats. got lucky myself saturday morning. heard one talking at about 630. guessed where i thought he was and headed his way. the reason i say 'lucky' is i just happened to sit down about 50 yards away from him. nearly messed myself when he sounded off again. never made a call. a hen popped out in front of me and a minute later he comes up behind me in full strut 10 yards away. beautiful sight. my single shot 20 guage did the rest. 9" beard and 15 pounds cleaned. what you think that bird weighed?

[going2fast]

too funny. i was looking at the pics again and noticed i was wearing the same jacket you have on. reversible to black.

[Here We Go]

I don't know he felt like a hundred pounds toting him back to my truck...ha ha

I guess 20ish, I didn't weigh him but the two breast were pretty.

I want to buy another jacket like this one but can't find them anymore, I had to have a new zipper sewn in this one.

Congrats on your bird, I hate not knowing where they are when they only gobble once or twice on the roost.

[Mallard Cutter]

Great looking bird !!!!!

[seminar]

nice job Keith

bob